Kilkenny Design among traders found in breach of consumer protection law by competition watchdog

CCPC said Kilkenny Design's store on Nassau Street in Dublin failed to provide the selling price of a product in accordance with the relevant legislation

A fixed payment notice is an on-the-spot fine issued for a breach of price display legislation. The fine is €300 and must be paid within 28 days to avoid prosecution.

Cork-headquartered Kilkenny Design was one of six traders found by Ireland's competition watchdog to have breached consumer protection law since August this year.

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has published thirteen new enforcement actions against six traders from across the country, comprising four stores, one hotel bar and restaurant and one jeweller. 

Twelve of the thirteen enforcement actions were for failing to display prices, with the breaches being detected by the CCPC through both in-store and online investigations.

Clydaville Investments Ltd, trading as Kilkenny Design, was issued two fixed payment notices for failing to display prices at its store on Nassau Street in Dublin. 

The CCPC said the department store was required to display the correct selling price of certain goods offered for sale. 

During an inspection at the trader’s premises in Dublin, the CCPC said it found the store to be in breach of this requirement by failing to provide the selling price of a product in accordance with the relevant legislation.

A fixed payment notice is an on-the-spot fine issued for a breach of price display legislation. The fine is €300 and must be paid within 28 days to avoid prosecution.

Centz, trading as Homesavers at Monaghan Retail Park, Co. Monaghan was another trader issued with three fixed payment notices for failing to display prices, along with Huntsman (Western) Bottlers Ltd, trading as the Huntsman Inn on College Road in Galway, who was served three compliance notices for failing to display price lists. 

A compliance notice is a written notice directing a trader to remedy a particular breach of consumer protection legislation.

Sezhic Ltd, trading as Mastersons Centra, in Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim was issued two fixed payment notices for failing to display prices, as was Euro General Retail Ltd, trading as EuroGiant in Cloonybeirne, Co. Roscommon.

Cnoc na Cuillin, trading as Caragh Jewellers in Killarney, Co. Kerry, was the final trader to receive enforcement action from the CCPC, and was issued a compliance notice for failing to display certain information required by the law.

“At this time of year, when consumers are exceptionally busy and a lot of money is being spent, it is more vital than ever that prices are clearly and correctly shown in every shop, pub and restaurant in the country," said Patrick Kenny, member of the CCPC. 

"CCPC officers will be out conducting inspections, and where we find traders breaking the law, we will take action.

“We look forward to gaining the power to directly impose meaningful fines for breaches of consumer law, sending a clear signal to businesses that they must treat consumers fairly or face serious consequences.”